Match Highlights
United 3-0 Newcastle
Berbatov with the opener after an atypical, but expected, slow start for United, Fletcher with the second—the boys look like they're back on track for the season, scoring goals when you really wouldn't expect it. Giggs rounds off our opening match display of patience and ease with a volley that, I thought, was brilliant! (but was played down, somewhat, by the commentators.) 3 points in the bag.
But it was Newcastle with the first meaningful chance on goal. The danger-man Andy Carroll with a free header from a corner which he put, for him, agonisingly wide.
Dominating possession, for prolonged periods of time, the possession stat read 72%-28%, United passed the ball around, getting a feel for the game again, without really creating too much.
But the cut and thrust was still evident, and was enough as Berbatov buried Scholes' through ball just after the half-hour mark.
And we slowly settled into our groove, passing moves becoming more and more elaborate, though the execution still not 100%. That didn't stop Evra's drilled cross bouncing off Rooney, teeing up Darren Fletcher for his first of the season.
United really on top by half-time, the game all but over. But the one person we all prayed could snap up a goal was Wayne Rooney. His performance tonight, again, not the electrifying, terrorising, quick-footed spectacle we usually expect from him.
After the restart, United took it slow again. Rooney staying on after speculation that the manager had only expected 45 minutes out of him tonight. And it was on the hour that he was replaced by Chicharito - making his home Premier League debut. Didn't exactly light the fire tonight, but to be fair, he's been to Mexico and back since last weekend.
Newcastle really had no clear chances after Carroll's early early first half header. I'm not even being a biased commentator. It's just hard to remember any moments they had against van der Sar and our back four.
Giggs comes on for Nani and by the 85th minute, Scholes picks him out on the edge of the are, coming in from the left, and volleys it down and it nestles into the side netting. Giggs writes ever more to his illustrious and historic career—played in every Premier League season and scored in every Premier League season.
Reaction
Expected it really. United, amirite?
Slow start, but everyone's experienced that—except Chelsea. Bastards.
It was promising to see that we were stroking our passes and holding on to the ball really well.
Frustrating, though, was the usage of the ball once we got it into the final third. Sure, it's fantastic to have 70% of the possession, but when it's being stroked around the halfway line and maybe on the flanks before retreating behind 30 yards from goal, it's not really the forceful attacking football we'd pay our cable bills to watch. But! Again, it's the first game of the season. I could also complain about some of the poor touches that you saw from players, Nani, Scholes, Berbatov, Fletcher, all, at some point, giving the ball away because of a careless touch or misplaced pass.
But it was those 4 players who I felt really made the impact for United today.
Nani being his usual self, making runs, trying passes, looking to cut inside and unleash a cracker upon the Newcastle goal. Could've made more of the ball when he had it, but hey, don't make me say it again.
Scholes bossed the midfield - and it was evident that the Newcastle coaching staff were aware (as everyone should be by now, it has been about 15 years) that if you gave Scholes too much space, you'd be in trouble. The first 20 minutes or so, Scholes was closed down and marked pretty tightly in the centre—often the job of Carroll and Nolan to keep an eye on him. Which was good, I guess. One player taking out the entire Newcastle strike force by just being on the ball.
Berbatov got the ball rolling in terms of the goals today and I'm pleased. I'm a fan of his elegant style, despite comments from a few out there about his laziness and likeness to an East European Sex trader.
Smooth, Dimi.
Whatever your view on him, his finish was classy and the times he was on the ball, he was always looking to create something. And his movement was good, too!
But I've reserved the Best Player award for Darren Fletcher.
So you might think it's not vintage United, but the amount of yards the boots of this man covered tonight was unbelievable. His 20000cc engine revved all night tonight, and he must have gotten to know every single blade of grass on the Old Trafford pitch. Didn't have too much to do defensively, but when Newcastle pushed forward, he was back and made his presence felt - while also bringing the ball forward and creating United's next chance. Good play all round, in my book.
Where We Stood, Where We Stand
I think we slot in to 4th, an identical result to Villa, but as "Aston Villa" starts with an A, they're ahead of us alphabetically. CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPOT!
But seriously, good way to start the season and you really don't have to win big to get the three points. Let's see the run extended against Fulham next weekend!
Also! Special shout-out to David "Burrito" Britton, for suggesting the video highlights. Well done, you Swedish bastard!
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